9 Foods Every Michigander Craves When They Leave Michigan

It’s no secret that we Michiganders love to eat. When it comes to specialty items, there are a few dishes and beverages that Michigan simply does better than the rest of the country — and it can be tough to find these beloved items upon leaving the Great Lakes State. Here are nine food and drink options that every Michigander misses when they’re away from home.

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There's just something extra-tasty about a piece of square pizza, and no one does it better than Detroit. Sure, we enjoy a good slice of thick Chicago deep-dish from time to time, but nothing beats the perfectly crispy corners on a tasty piece of Detroit-style pizza — and setting for anything less just doesn’t cut it.

Flickr/Larry & Teddy Page

If you’ve ever spent time in the Upper Peninsula, you know that no one does pasties quite like Michigan. When you venture far from home, you’ll likely find yourself longing for a taste of one of these meat and veggie-filled pastries, covered with just the right amount of gravy. Is your mouth watering yet?

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When it comes to pop, nothing says Michigan like a sip of Faygo. Whether you opt for a can of Redpop or something a bit more classic, there’s no denying that this fizzy beverage hits the spot for most Michiganders — and it’s tough to find outside the Great Lakes State.

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Flickr/Eugene Kim

Other states have tried to replicate the Detroit coney dog, but no one does it quite like Lafayette or American. When you leave Michigan, you’ll have dreams about a well-made coney covered in all the fixings — and you’ll be counting down the days until you can taste one again.

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Flickr/Rebecca Chatfield

Michiganders with a sweet tooth are in heaven with such easy access to delicious Mackinac Island fudge, which outdoes all other sugary treats with its rich flavor and unbeatable homemade texture. Whether it’s mixed into ice cream or eaten on its own, Mackinac Island fudge is impossible to forget.

Flickr/Bill Walsh

If you’ve ever gotten a stomachache outside the boundaries of Michigan, you’ve experienced the pain of realizing that you’re nowhere near a bottle of Vernor’s. This ginger ale, which doubles as an upset stomach remedy, is a classic among Michiganders of all ages. There’s truly no substitute for the real thing.

Flickr/anokarina

Sure, other parts of the world serve up amazing seafood, but there’s nothing like a dinner of Great Lakes whitefish and chips. No matter how you prefer your fish prepared, there’s something truly magical about enjoying a meal that’s straight from our beloved bodies of water — and the experience can’t be fully replicated elsewhere.

Facebook/Better Made Snack Foods

Who doesn’t love a good bag of perfectly crisp, salty potato chips? We Michiganders take pride in being home to Better Made Snack Foods, and that includes the company’s famously tasty chips. We’ll opt for wider-known brands when we’re traveling, but nothing beats the Michigan original.

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Flickr/Kevin Brown

Whether you’re from the Traverse City area or not, you know there’s something special about enjoying the Cherry Festival each year — and munching on cherries from outside of Michigan just doesn’t have the same charm. When you leave the Mitten, you'll find yourself missing all sorts of fruit (tart cherries included) that are grown right here in the Great Lakes State.

It’s your turn, Michiganders: which foods and drinks do you miss most when you’re traveling or living outside the Great Lakes State? We’d love to hear from you in the comment section below!